Media advocacy on vector borne diseases held
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 21 2014 :
A one-day Advocacy meeting for media personnel on prevention and control of vector borne diseases organized jointly by Manipur State Vector Borne Diseases Control Society and Manipur Voluntary Health Association was held at the Conference Hall of MVHA at Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal today.
During the programme, State Entomologist Y Krishna Singh pointed out that diseases such as Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Chicken Guinea, Kalajar and Pillasis are common vector borne diseases prevalent in the country.
Stating that the government of India has been taking up measures for prevention against these diseases under the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), and the state governments are also putting efforts for prevention of these diseases through related departments, he added that cases of Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue have been widely reported in Manipur, whereas there have been very rare cases of Chicken Guinea, Philasis and Kala-ajar in the state.
Although the prevalence of Japanese Encephalitis was once high in Manipur, now there has been no report of this ailment in the state.
However, cases of Malaria and Dengue infections are still there in the hill districts, he continued and cautioned that people residing in the vulnerable places should be aware of the measures for prevention against these diseases.
The easiest way for prevention against Malaria is early diagnosis and treatment, as Malaria is spread by Females Anopheles mosquitoes, he stated, while adding that as mosquitoes reproduce themselves in the water reserves and accumulated wastages around the environment, we may take precautions to prevent reproduction of mosquitoes.
Sensitizing the media persons in the programme, he said that out of 1.52 million people infected with Malaria disease in India during the year 2013, as many as 1200 persons died of the disease and 30 percent of the infections were from the North East region.
In Manipur, reported number of Malaria cases during 2012 and 2013 were 255 and 120 respectively, however, there were no cases of deaths, he informed, saying that the rate of Malaria spread has drastically decreased in Manipur, the reported Malaria cases in the state by May 30, 2014 is only 21 .
During 2013, 9 cases of Dengue were registered in the state, while there were no cases of Encephalitis reported in the year.
During the media advocacy programme, State Biologist T.Kamini Singh delivered lecture on Mosquito Morphology, Vector Bionomics, Integrated Vector Management.